Winning tip: Multi Pass, Portes du Soleil, France

For €1 a day, you can use the Multi Pass in all 12 resorts of the Portes du Soleil in the Alps. This gives free use of chairlifts and gondolas, so you can walk without the uphill slog. Swimming pools and lakes are included, as are tennis courts, ice rinks and mini golf. There are free buses between resorts, and cultural sites include the Abondance Abbey and Maison du Val. You have to stay in a chalet or hotel that has signed up to the offer but, for about a fiver a week, it's a winner.portesdusoleil.comMartin2122

Caldea Spa and Naturlandia, Andorra

Naturlandia high above Sant Julia de Lloria in the south has a bit of everything: archery, paintballing, cross-country skiing, or off-roading but its main calling card is Tobotronc . This is a dry toboggan ride on a roller coaster track that stretches for over 5km down a mountain, at speeds over 30mph and a drop of 600m. The ride down is all about speed and cojones; it feels safe and there are signs telling you when to brake. A bargain at €10. Just a bit north of Andorra la Vella is the Caldea Spa. It has water massages, whirlpools, ice baths, Greek baths, even a little tunnel to swim to an outdoor lagoon with a sun deck. The water is geothermal. A perfect way to rejuvenate and well worth €35.Catchytitled

Refuge de Pombie, France

Snaking almost 500 miles across the Pyrenees, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne (HRP) is one of Europe's great long-distance paths. The central section, between Lescun and Gavarnie, is breathtakingly beautiful, accessible and well-serviced by mountain refuges to spend the night – perfect for a week's trekking holiday. Fly to Toulouse, take a train to Oloron-Sainte-Marie and a bus to Lescun. Allow a week to complete the route, either staying in the refuges or camping, and then it's an easy bus and train journey back to Toulouse.pyrenees-refuges.comMarcusstevens

Hornstrandir, Iceland

Photograph: Alamy

Hornstrandir is a deserted area in the northernmost part of the Westfjords in Iceland. It has been a national park since 1974, and is largely unspoilt. Everything you need will have to be in your backpack because there are no shops, no electricity, no internet – nothing but you, the birds and the arctic foxes. The terrain is rough and not all trails are well-indicated. A good map and GPS are recommended. For a more leisurely experience, the old village of Hesteyri at the southernmost point is one hour by boat from Ísafjörður. Day visitors come to stretch their legs and have coffee and Icelandic pancakes (pönnukökur) at the old Doctor's House.westtours.is, borea.isErik Jan–vens

Bovec, Slovenia

Photograph: Alamy

The Julian Alps of north-western Slovenia are the perfect base to pursue an array of outdoor pursuits set against a magnificent backdrop of soaring limestone peaks, thundering waterfalls and refreshing turquoise lakes. Straddling the border of northern Italy, this is a favourite for watersports enthusiasts. The Tyrol-esque town of Bovec is Slovenia's unofficial adrenaline capital and endless hiking trails of mixed ability snake across Triglav national park. To raft, kayak, hike, rock climb, paraglide or simply unwind in alpine surroundings, the Julian Alps are a must for mountain enthusiasts.julijske-alpe.com/englishDavidThomas

Cider in Asturias, Spain

Last summer, my husband and I spent a week in the tiny mountain village of Asiego and enjoyed peace, quiet, great views, friendly locals, top hiking and exceptional local grub. Asiego is famous for its Cabrales cheese, made from a blend of cow, goat and sheep milk and matured in local caves. Go on a cider and cheese tour run by brothers Manuel and Javier Niembro, which culminates in a five-course meal. There's canoeing and rafting on the nearby Sella river, and the coast is less than an hour's drive away.rutalquesuylasidra.comID0069735

Alpe d'Huez, France

Familiar to Tour de France aficionados and ski enthusiasts alike, the Alpe, as it is affectionately known, almost has a personality of its own. Whether you approach by bicycle or by car, the twisting ascent with sweeping panoramic views of the valley below is breathtaking. Book into one of the many hotels standing almost empty in the summer months and stroll around the resort, perhaps taking time for a picture on the podium in front of the cycling shop. Alternatively, for the more adventurous, a one-hour "initiation" flight from the Henri Giraud Altiport (evmalpedhuez.fr/fr/altiport/index.htm) gives spectacular views of the glaciers and peaks of the surrounding Alps.Natalie Hogg

Mount Durmitor, Montenegro

Photograph: Alamy

Durmitor National Park in Montenegro is a Unesco world heritage site and the home of Europe's deepest river canyon. The mountain views are truly breathtaking, as are the crystal waters of the many glacial lakes. There is a circular hiking path around Black Lake and its waters can offer a refreshing dip in the warm summer months. The highest peak of the mountain is Bobotov Kuk, at 2,523m and is the most common destination for climbers. The mountain is also steeped in history, famed as a strategic place during the Second World War.whc.unesco.org/en/list/100Ljubica Spaskovska

Mount Krn, Slovenia

Now a picturesque and inviting grassy slope but once the horrific blood-stained alpine frontline between the Austrian and Italian armies during WW1, the peak of Krn can be seen from as far away as Venice on the Italian plains. Krn is iconic and dramatic, completely changing character and mood as one passes along the magnificent emerald blue Soca river under its Western flank.Angus Prain

Cader Idris, Wales

Cader Idris (893m) in Wales is a beautiful horse-shoe shaped relic of glacial erosion and a perfect day's mountain walk. Three different easy-to-moderate routes lead to the top from which snow-capped Mt Snowdon and even Ireland can be seen on a clear day. There is an eerie lake at the base of its 200ft cliffs, trembling with magic legends and silence. The southern Minffordd path follows the stream up to the lake through mossy woods. Cader is a popular walk so choose a clear sunny day and set off early with a picnic to enjoy the sun on the summit.visitmidwales.co.ukherbalwalks